Where can I find a list of requirements for adoption and home study?

Question

I know that an adopting family needs a space for the child, smoke detectors, and emergency escape plan. But is there a list somewhere online? I've been looking all over the internet for a couple of days but cannot come up with anything helpful. I'm looking specifically for Ohio, but a generic list is fine, or even a list from another state just to give me an idea.

I want a web site, NOT suggestions on what to put into a search engine or stuff like that.

Answer 1

With over 20 years in adoption work, and having approved over 400 families to adopt, I can tell you what we looked for. Many of these requirements are set in stone in our state, as they are with every state. And then the agency approving you will also have their own requirements -- some may have "Christian only" or "No smoking" reqirments, for example. But the basic requirements are as follows:

Job and job history - stable employment history

Salary - decent stable salary reflected on your tax returns, pay stubs and employment letters

Taxes - good history of completing verifiable tax returns

Marriages - usually look at number (less than three is preferable!) and length of current marriage (usually 3+ years)

Divorces - will need copies of the decrees, and names of exes, as well as explanation of reason for divorce

Children - children will be interviewed, even if live with you part time or if they are grown

References - must have personal and professional (therapist, rabbi, teacher) references who have known you both for 5+ years ideally

Medical - letters from doc stating no communicable or catastrophic ilnesses/diseases, and state that you are mentally/emotionally and physically stable

Mental - stability

Abuse history - from childhood on up, history and how you have resolved or coped with it

Arrests - if you have one, why and when, with details, and resolution, verified by criminal and child abuse background checks in all states where you have lived

Income - must be sufficient to more than just pay all bills and expenses, and not be in debt or bankruptcy

Pets - must be child friendly and up on all vaccinations and healthy

Home - must have a "home" -- not just a house -- can be an apartment or house, but needs to be organized, warm and child friendly and safe

Cars - do not have to be new, but need to be safe and dependable with approved car seats

Friends/neighbors - appropriate, not partiers and moochers

Family - need to be enthusiastic about the adoption for the sake of the child!

Counseling - history of marriage counseling and resolution, as well as mental health counseling and therapist's names and reports

Alcohol and drugs - no drug use and alcohol in strict moderation, and if have history of addictions, must have proof of resolution

Lifestyle - generally fit and appropriate for children, such as not a "clubber" or partier, no risky habits

Hobbies - what you do with your spare time

Religion/Spirituality - do not have to attend church unless the specific agency reqires it, and some birthmothers want only a certian religion or practice or the absence of it

Motivation to adopt - why and history of desire to adopt

History with children - caring for nieces/nephews or friend's children, or volunteer work documnted

Childhood - everything from your birth on up, such as family activites, discipline, parental roles, discipline, etc.

Family of origin - how close are you now and how often do you stay in contact, etc.

Marriage - stability and strengths and weaknesses, duration, usually at least 3 years

s*x life - normal, agreeable to both (indication of stability)

Exes - why ex relationships ended

Attitudes toward birthparents - caring, open, appreciative or want nothing to do with her (indication of attitude towards child as well)

Attitudes towards people of different socio-economic status - general attitudes reflect how you may see child, or birth parents

Attitudes about continuing contact with birthmother - open, semi open or closed -- most agencies will not work with families who want a closed adoption as this is not in the best interest of the child

Expectations of child - are the expectations realistic or not, such as must be bright and look like us (argh)

Health Insurance - must have adequate medical insurance for the child, as well as for selves

ETC.!! Good luck to you!!

Answer 2

Different homestudy agencies can have slightly different requirements and do things a little differently.  Also requirements vary state to state, so your homestudy agency will be meeting whatever the requirements are in your state.  Additionally, if you are adopting internationally, the foreign government will have requirements for what they want included in your homestudy, so your homestudy agency would work with your adoption agency in that case to make sure those requirements are met.  As people are saying though, pretty standard requirements are smoke detectors, police background checks, a bio, home tour and home interviews.

Answer 3

I wish I could give you a more solid answer, but when we went through our adoption process, our agency provided us with a "checklist" or guideline.  If you are using a specific agency, perhaps they can provide one to you.  The other place that you might want to try is your Department of Youth website:  http://www.dys.ohio.gov/dysweb/default.a...

They may have some additional info for you.

Answer 4

I'm not sure where to find a specific list.  My husband adopted my child and it wasn't too tedious of a task.  We contacted an attorney who handled it.  Basically it was a lot of waiting.

At the home study, which lasted a couple hours, the case worker went over the adoptive parents' income, what insurance he could provide the child, made sure the home was safe, secure and adequate for the child.  I remember having to have two smoke detectors, a carbon monoxide detector and at least one fire extinguisher.  

I'm sure the requirements are state and probably even county specific.

Answer 5

check out this web-site

http://www.adoptionservices.org/adoption...

Answer 6

http://www.dhr.state.al.us/page.asp?page...

Answer 7

I live in Ohio as well, and we adopted through Family Services. Simply call the family services office in your county, and ask to speak with a case worker, they will send out a packet of information for you to read.

Answer 8

well there is no one website first of all.

check with your state requirements and also with the agency you want to work with and then go from there. different states = different adoption laws.

all though we found the Complete Idiots Guide to Adoption very very helpfull!!!

good luck

Answer 9

http://adopting.adoption.com/child/revie...

This is generic but very thorough.  Don't just read the first page, there are four pages.

Good luck in adding to your family!

<3 Kelsey